DARWEN Gala celebrated its 50th anniversary with a colourful parade to recognise the town and its people.

Organised by the Darwen Gala Committee, which brought together 23 groups, charities and businesses from the town, the procession started on Anchor Road and finished at the Borough Road playing fields where there was a variety of stalls run by the residents.

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Many events took place in order to keep visitors amused, including a climbing wall, a bouncy castle, the Lost Dads’ Tent and Beer Garden and the Tower Race.

Scott Barber, co-parade marshal, said he loved being involved in the committee to organise the gala.

He said: “I’ve been helping to organise this for two years and I love seeing the gala, especially in its 50th anniversary.

“My grandfather joined the committee 17 years ago and I’ve wanted to be a part of it since I was younger.

“It’s about getting everyone from Darwen together and celebrating what the town does.”

Entertainment in the afternoon included Accrington Pipe Band, which led the parade, Trinity Morris Dancers, and the Cheer Valley Cheerleaders.

Georgia Knowles, mum of one of the girls in the morris dancers, said the parade had lots of benefits.

She said: “It’s a chance for the girls to show off what they’ve won in competitions and make themselves known to people who wouldn’t normally cross paths with them.”

Francis Hartley, drum major of the Accrington Pipe Band, said: “It’s great to support all the local groups in the area.

“We love playing our music anywhere but as we are only from down the road in Accrington, we are part of the community – it gives it that something extra.”

Blackburn with Darwen mayor Cllr Faryad Hussain said: “It’s a real community event and the Darwen Gala is a great way of celebrating the cohesive community we have.

“I would like to thank all the organisers, workers, groups, charities and businesses who have made the effort to come down here and put on such a fantastic parade for its 50th anniversary.”

Anyone who would like to get involved with organising the next gala can visit www.darwengala.co.uk or call committee chairman John Sturgess on 07802 247639.